A 15-minute stroll north from the Old Market, along the shady west bank of the Siem Reap River, with its ornate stone street lamps and hotch-potch of animal and religious sculptures, leads you to The Royal Gardens, the Siem Reap city centre’s only open public green ...
A 15-minute stroll north from the Old Market, along the shady west bank of the Siem Reap River, with its ornate stone street lamps and hotch-potch of animal and religious sculptures, leads you to The Royal Gardens, the Siem Reap city centre’s only open public green space.
It is an area that provides visitors with a restful antidote to the dusty streets of downtown, and a handful of free attractions to help you while away a couple of lazy hours if you are lucky enough to be spending more than the requisite three days in Siem Reap.
The official royal residence for King Sihamoni and family when they travel to Siem Reap is an austere building that has long since been overshadowed by resorts and boutique hotels around town.
It is an area that provides visitors with a restful antidote to the dusty streets of downtown, and a handful of free attractions to help you while away a couple of lazy hours if you are lucky enough to be spending more than the requisite three days in Siem Reap.
The peaceful Royal Gardens consists of The River Garden and the rather grandiose-sounding Royal Crusade for Independence Gardens. On the southern side of the gardens lies the building often incorrectly referred to as the “Royal Palace” – it is simply a royal residence — an understated affair, more pied-a-terre than palace, which is not open to visitors. It does, however, hold a significant place in Cambodian history as the temporary home of King Sihanouk while he and General Lon Nol were planning The Royal Crusade for Independence from France– hence the gardens’ name — in the 1950s.
Heading anti-clockwise from The Royal Residence takes you to the eastern section of the garden which stretches down to the riverbank among neat palms and ancient trees, their huge trunks clad with epiphytes, their branches rich with birds and butterflies. The soft and springy Bermuda grass of the River Garden is a great place to sit in the shade and have a picnic or a cold drink as you watch the river gently flow by.
Opposite the Royal Residence on the northern side of the gardens is the impressive Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor which has been lodging and pampering the intrepid, the rich and the famous – including Charles de Gaulle, Princess Margaret and Jackie Kennedy — since 1932. If you are in need of a treat the high tea at Raffles is a wonderful indulgence which costs $16++ a head buffet style or $19++ a head served at your table –book in advance. One is probably enough for two people, just order an extra cup of tea or coffee. There is also a small indoor-outdoor gallery that houses exhibitions of sculpture and photography, entry is free.
Raffles’ gardeners have been maintaining the public formal gardens that spread out in front of the hotel since they opened in 1997. They are home to neatly trimmed hedges, fragrant frangipani trees, lollipop-shaped topiary, and deep beds filled with flaming scarlet and yellow irises. At the centre of the formal gardens is an ornamental pond guarded by four stone lions. The overall effect is pleasing rather than spectacular but there are plenty of photogenic scenes to satisfy the snap-happy traveller. There are also lots of benches to sit on and enjoy the relative silence, but they are mostly in full sun.
The avenue of towering trees that runs roughly north-south from The Raffles Hotel provides a pleasant thoroughfare for aimless promenading, but its real draw is the vast colony of giant fruit bats that lives there. Look up at any time of day and you will see them hanging pendulously from every bough, chirping like hungry nestlings. Time your visit with dusk and you cannot fail to be impressed by the spectacle of thousands of cat-sized bats encircling the treetops like a flock of giant starlings coming home to roost.
At the southerly end of the tree-lined avenue is the small, open-sided Temple of Phomchek Phomchom, and neighbouring shrine sitting precariously on a small island in the middle of National Route six. The temple structure may be small and the statuary unremarkable, but there is usually a lively atmosphere with clouds of incense swirling around worshippers, traditional musicians, shaven-headed widows seeking alms and saffron-robed monks offering blessings. Don’t worry if you can’t understand what the monks say; as long as you make a donation they won’t mind.
If you do want to make an offering you can buy incense inside the temple, or delicately woven lotus flowers from the stalls behind. You can even buy the freedom of a caged swallow, although it’s not a practise to be recommended.
By now you will be just steps from a helpful looking “Tourist information office” which sadly houses less information than the smallest of pocket guidebooks. You will also be just yards from where you started. Take a walk through the shops of Sivatha Boulevard back towards Pub Street and The Old Market area of town, or if it’s a Friday you could always pop into the the Victoria Angkor Resort and Spa on the west side of the gardens, and enjoy some live music, half price drinks and free canapes between 16:00 and 19:30 at their Explorateur Bar.
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Road 6 (Next to Royal Residence), Siem Reap 17257, Cambodia, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Best Location!
Located right next to the Royal Palace and across from the Royal Gardens, J7 Hotel offers accommodation away from the hustle and bustle of Siem Reap. It features an outdoor swimming pool and guests can enjoy meals at the in-house restaurant or have a drink at the bar. Free WiFi is available throughout the property. Staff are able to converse in Chinese, English and Japanese.
The vibrant Pub Street and Angkor Night Market is 900 m from J7 Hotel, while Angkor Wat is 6 km from the property. The nearest airport is Siem Reap - Angkor International Airport, 7 km from the property. The property offers complimentary return transfers from the airport or bus station..
Every air-conditioned room includes a flat-screen TV with satellite channels. Some units have a seating area to relax in after a busy day. You will find a kettle in the room. For your comfort, you will find bathrobes, slippers, toothbrushes and a hairdryer.
Guests can approach the 24-hour front desk for currency exchange, tour arrangements, ticketing and concierge services. The hotel also offers bicycle rentals for guests who wish to explore the surrounding area. A fitness centre is available. Alternatively, guests can also indulge in massage treatments at Moringa Wellness Spa or have a soak in the hot tub facilities. Union Pay is accepted at the property.
The All Day Dining serves up a variety of cuisines, from authentic Khmer dishes to Asian and Western delights.
This is our guests' favourite part of Siem Reap, according to independent reviews.
This property also has one of the best-rated locations in Siem Reap! Guests are happier about it compared to other properties in the area.
Couples particularly like the location — they rated it 9.3 for a two-person trip.
We speak your language!
Located in Old Market areas, Pub street and Night Market, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Best Deal!
One of our best sellers in Siem Reap!
Conveniently located in Old Market Area, La Villa du Bonheur offers elegant and comfortable accommodations with free WiFi access in the entire property. Operating a 24-hour front desk, it features free parking and a free pick-up from the airport and bus station.
The hotel is only 500 m from the lively Pub Street and 300 m from Artisans D'Angkor. The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Angkor Wat is 4.3 mi away, while Siem Reap International Airport is accessible within an 5 mi drive.
Offering garden/pool views from the balcony, air-conditioned rooms come with a desk, wardrobe, electric kettle and a flat-screen TV with satellite channels. The private bathroom has a bathtub or shower, hairdryer, bathrobes and slippers.
Friendly staff at La Villa du Bonheur can assist guests with bicycle/car rentals, luggage storage, laundry and concierge services. Airport transfers can also be arranged upon request at a surcharge. Daily housekeeping service is available.
The in-house alfresco restaurant serves an appetizing selection of local and Western dishes. After-meal drinks can be enjoyed at the bar.
This is our guests' favorite part of Siem Reap, according to independent reviews.
This property also has one of the top-rated locations in Siem Reap! Guests are happier about it compared to other properties in the area.
Couples in particular like the location – they rated it 9.2 for a two-person trip.
We speak your language!
National Road No. 6, Khum Sror Nge, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Best Value!
Opened in end-2011, the luxurious 5-star Sokhalay Angkor Villa Resort features tastefully furnished rooms bordering a large free-form pool with an island pool bar. Spread across sprawling landscaped grounds, it has a spa and fitness facilities.
Cambodian silks, fine wood fittings and a private balcony are some of the comforts offered. Featuring marble bathrooms, the spacious rooms have a flat-screen cable TV and free Wi-Fi.
Sokhalay Angkor Villa Resort is a 5-minute drive from Siem Reap Airport. It is about a 15-minute drive from Pub Street and the UNESCO site of Angkor Wat.
Guests can enjoy a leisurely jog around the lotus ponds or rent a bike to explore the grounds. Other leisure options include an indoor pool, library and day trips.
Featuring high wood-beamed ceilings and lovely garden views, Green restaurant serves local and Western dishes. The hotel also has 2 bars, room service and barbecue facilities.
Couples particularly like the location — they rated it 8.2 for a two-person trip.
We speak your language!
National Road Nº 6, Krous Village, Svay Dongkom, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Best for Couple!
Lotus Blanc Resort offers a relaxing getaway in the heart of Siem Reap City, a convenient 10-minute drive to the famous Old Market (Phsar Chas) and the well-known Pub Street. It features an outdoor swimming pool, free WiFi access and a complimentary airport pick-up.
The resort is only a 10-minute drive from Siem Reap International Airport. The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Angkor Wat Temple is just 8 km away.
Featuring a balcony, air-conditioned rooms are equipped with a personal safe, a flat-screen cable TV and a minibar. Rooms also include an electric kettle and a seating area. Private bathrooms offer a hairdryer and free bath amenities such as free toothbrush and toothpaste. Room service is possible. Slippers are also available in all rooms.
Lotus Blanc Resort operates a 24-hour front desk that provides luggage storage, laundry and tour services. A fitness centre and meeting/banqueting facilities are available. Guests can enjoy a pampering massage at its spa, or rent a vehicle to explore the area.
A selection of Khmer dishes and international buffet are served at Le BlancRestaurant. The Lobby Lounge offers afternoon teas and evening cocktails accompanied with live music by international bands.
Couples particularly like the location — they rated it 8.7 for a two-person trip.
This property is also rated for the best value in Siem Reap! Guests are getting more for their money when compared to other properties in this city.
We speak your language!
# 522 Svay Dangkum, Old Market, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Best for Traveller!
One of our best sellers in Siem Reap!
Apsara Centrepole Hotel is located just a 1-minute walk from Siem Reap City’s Pub Street and the many night markets. It features an outdoor pool, a restaurant and a lounge bar. Free WiFi access is provided.
The hotel is a 15-minute drive from the temples of Angkor and a 20-minute drive from the floating village of Tonle Sap. It provides free pick-ups from Siem Reap International Airport, located 4.3 mi away.
Fitted with tiled or wooden flooring, air-conditioned rooms feature either a patio or a balcony. They offer a flat-screen TV, coffee/tea making facilities and a mini-bar. Private bathrooms come with a hairdryer. Room service is provided.
Guests of Apsara Centrepole can request for a massage, or have a quiet read in the library. Staff at the 24-hour front desk can assist with currency exchange, tour rental or shuttle services.
This is our guests' favorite part of Siem Reap, according to independent reviews.
This property also has one of the top-rated locations in Siem Reap! Guests are happier about it compared to other properties in the area.
Couples in particular like the location – they rated it 9.4 for a two-person trip.
We speak your language!
Sivatha Blvd, Mondol II Village, Svaydangkum Commnune, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Best Location!
Hotel Somadevi Angkor Resort & Spa is just 10 minutes’ drive from the world famous Angkor Wat Temple and a 5-minute walk from the popular Pub Street. It has a spa, health club, and an outdoor pool with hot tub. Free WiFi is available throughout the property.
Hotel Somadevi Angkor Resort & Spa is a 15-minute drive from Siem Reap International Airport. It takes 5 minutes on foot to the Night Market and various dining and shopping options. The property offers complimentary airport pickup services.
Featuring hardwood flooring, rooms at Hotel Somadevi Angkor Resort & Spa come with a private balcony. Each room has cable TV, a minibar and coffee/tea making facilities. The attached bathroom is fitted with a bathtub and separate shower.
Guests can exercise in the fitness centre or relax in the sauna. Travel arrangements can be made at the tour desk. The hotel provides taxi service and currency exchange, as well as laundry and dry cleaning.
Buffet breakfast is served daily. Somadevi Café offers Khmer, Asian and European dishes. Snacks and drinks are available at Devi Lobby Lounge, which also shows movies and sports programs on a wide-screen TV.
This is our guests' favourite part of Siem Reap, according to independent reviews.
This property also has one of the best-rated locations in Siem Reap! Guests are happier about it compared to other properties in the area.
We speak your language!
Hotel Somadevi Angkor Resort & Spa has been welcoming Booking.com guests since 20 May 2010.
Hotel Rooms: 170
Being the locals, we know the true value of our land. We always listen and arrange everything as your desire. Please kindly send us whatever about your trip,we will send you best offers quickly.
Guest Name: Ms. Lyn
Country: Philippines
City: Manila
N.of Person: 1 pax
Travel date: 23-09-2024
Booked: Ream National Park Kayaking & Boat Trip Day Tour
Tour Style: Beach Break Holiday
Duration: Full Day
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